Big E about talks CM Punk's return, Daniel Bryan's popularity and more

Digital Spy has an interview with WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E, who was promoting this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Here are just a few highlights:

Daniel Bryan‘s popularity:

“There’s something to the fact that he’s a bit of an everyman. That’s something people can relate to. He’s the guy who was told that he’s not big enough or not tall enough and he’s proving people wrong. It always resonates when you’re told you don’t fit a certain mould. People can identify with someone being too good to have to fit in a mould.

“He didn’t have to be a certain model or a certain type or 6’4″ to be successful. He has a chant that people can really get behind that people are excited to do. I think there’s something about his struggle, his being told ‘no’, that really resonates with people.”

Hulk Hogan returning:

“I think it’d be great for us. Hulk Hogan still has that aura, even though he’s obviously older now, and probably not quite in his prime. But I think he’d be great for us because I know people in their 40s and 50s who remember watching Hulk Hogan as a kid.

“People who may not watch wrestling now, if they heard Hulk Hogan was coming back they might tune in. That buzz that he creates, the buzz of Hulk Hogan, I think would be good for business, so I’d definitely look forward to it.”

If he would be surprised if CM Punk returned before WrestleMania:

“I think it’d be great. Obviously I’m not really aware of what’s going, but I think there’s a lot of people who desperately want him back, a lot of fans who would be excited to have him back.

“If that were to be the case, if he did return, I think there’d be a huge buzz around it. I think it would definitely be a positive thing. Like I said, I’m not sure particularly what’s going on, if there’s a chance or even a possibility or if it’s imminent. But I know if he did return there’d be a lot of buzz and a lot of happy fans as well.”

Vince McMahon buying Newcastle United:

“The opportunity would be great, but honestly I would embarrass myself so I’ll stick to what I’m good at! I think it’s interesting, I’m not sure how valid it is, but I think the opportunity to expand the WWE brand outside the walls of the US is obviously a positive thing. But I really have no idea how much merit there is to that rumour.”

AJ Lee being longest reigning Divas Champion:

“There’s a lot of talent on the main roster, but I think if you look to the NXT roster as well there’s a lot of talent there. We’ve seen Bayley, Paige is very talented. Emma’s been on the roster of late but we haven’t really had an opportunity to see her wrestle.

“There’s a lot of young, fresh talent. And Summer Rae, who has just wrestled sparingly. There’s a good future with the Divas, and if you look to NXT as well I think there’s an opportunity for young up and comers to do some damage.”

Have you had more fun as a heel or as a face in the WWE?

“Now I really embrace being a babyface, it’s something I’ve really had fun with. With NXT as well I had a lot of fun doing the five-count and there are moments as well with Dolph and AJ that I really enjoyed. I think it was a really interesting dynamic. The role had real quirks and different personalities, but I think it worked and I was actually really sad to see that run come to an end.

“I really have fun doing both for different reasons I’m really excited in the role I’m in now, and I look forward to growing. I think there’s a lot of room for me to get better, expressing different facets and I look forward to improving.”